Bhagalpur, Jan. 18: The income tax department needs to be more people-friendly to generate revenue.
Bijay Sharma, chief commissioner of income tax, Bihar and Jharkhand, today emphasised on how to maximise tax returns at a review meeting.
Sharma, who arrived from Purnea, spoke on various ways to mop up collections. He also suggested several steps such as changing the infrastructure of the income tax department and creating a cordial atmosphere for tax assessees. He also held discussions with Eastern Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a body of local traders, the media as well as employees of the income tax office.
Talking to journalists, Sharma said the department was vigilant to counter economic offences and added that raids and follow-ups had been conducted in Muzaffarpur, Motihari and other places. “Our officers were asked to be more cautious and watchful in such cases,” he claimed.
Sharma claimed there was an increase in the number of tax assessees in the past few years in Bihar and Jharhand. At the same time, he expressed dissatisfaction over not fulfilling targets of tax collection. Citing an example, Sharma said that the Bhagalpur circle of income tax created a record in the last financial year by collecting Rs 175 crore, including tax deduction at source (TDS) out of a target of Rs 125 crore. This time, the circle failed to meet the target of Rs 121 core (including TDS) as up to December, 2011. The circle managed to collect Rs 63 crore.
“In places like Bhagalpur, construction of big markets, apartments and roads have suddenly increased but the department is yet to receive tax from such sources,” he said.
According to him, the department has started becoming public-friendly. “Officials have started organising seminars, symposium and group discussions with tax assessees. For motivat ing assessees to e-file tax returns, the department has started providing free assistance in offices to help people prepare their return files. Besides, in every income tax office, a helpdesk has been created to help tax assessees,” he added.
